Containerized transport device



United States Patent [72] Inventors Peter L. Paull 3,241,627 3/1966 Hartet al 180/122 Weston; 3,248,086 4/1966 Cockerel1'..... 180/124X FontaineC. Armistead, Darien, Conn. 3,272,271 9/ 1966 Cockerell 180/1 18 [21]Appl. No. 781,298 3,291,236 12/1966 Foshag et al 180/121 [22] Filed Nov.29,1968 3,301,343 1/1967 Hardy et a1. 180/116 [45] Patented Dec. 22,1970 3,340,944 9/1967 White et a1. 180/122 [73] Assignee TexacoDevelopment Corporation primary Examiner Kenneth Bans New YorkAttorneys-K. E. Kavanagh and Thomas H. Whaley a corporation of Delaware[54] g g ggfig gfig DEVICE ABSTRACT: This invention relates to acontainerized transg g port apparatus comprising a ground effect vehicleas a carrier, [52] U.S. Cl. .L 180/130, adapted for travel a slightdistance above a land or water sur- 180/1 17, 180/119 face on asupporting air cushion. The vehicle is constructed to [51] Int. B60v l/provide an internal cavity for receiving one or more cargo [50] Field ofSearch 180/1 holding containers. The latter are removably positionedwithin l the cavity to form a base for the supporting air cushion when Ithe vehicle is elevated by a peripheral air jet system. Removal [56]References Cited of the container thereafter permits the ground effectvehicle UNITED STATES PATENTS .to operate in a similar manner utilizingat least a portion of 3,168,155 2/1965 Cockerell 180/119 the internalcavity as a plenum chamber for confining the 3,170,529 2/ 1965 Kelley eta1. 180/116 supporting air cushion.

/5l 4 J8 l /7 J7 I 27 L /6 I6 49 56 /7 .34 A 52 34 23 46 ./54 Z3 24 552/ 1 J r J 5 9 r) /4 s PATENTEnniczzlsm 3,649,969

saw 1 BF 2 PATENTED DECZIZIBYB 3.548369 sum 2 OF 2 TE J5 BACKGROUND OFTI-IEINVENTION The transportation and storage of offshore producedfluids, particularly crude oil, is normally through the facility ofpipelines, tankers or individual drums. In the instance of the essentialstorage of crude, or even refined liquid products, the problem isaccentuated to a large scale when the'oil bearing well or field'ispositioned a sufficient distance offshore to be remote from a convenientterminal or refinery. A pipeline connecting such an offshore locationwith a shore based refinery lacks economic feasibility'for-smallerquantities of produced'oil. It therefore becomes a matter of greatexpense to hold the oiluntil such time as it is either by tanker, bargeor the like. a

Storage of the well production of an, offshore field constitutes notonly an economic problem but also a serious safety factor. Specifically,because of the flammability of liquid as well as gaseous products, thestored material promotes an increasingly dangerous situation inproportion to the volume of material held.

As in most operations embodying transfer-of a liquid or fluid productfrom a floating vessel to shore, there is often a considerable timerequirement necessitated -to achieve the unloading. Further, the time isnot always invested in actual transfer of the product between points,but rather in the idle period during which the vessel stands-by prior tobeing unloaded.-

The subsequent discussion of the novel apparatus is applicable, as willbe appreciated, for storage and transport of numerous species of liquidsin that the basic problems are closely related to the storage and'transportfof petroleum products. For expediency, the-discussion willnonetheless be limited to the various facets of the invention asutilized in the storage and transport of crude oil produced atan'offshore field or well,and subsequently transferred to a shore basedrefinery.

It is therefore one of the objects of .the invention to provide atransport device for the rapid, efficient storage and movement of oilfrom an oflshore storage area to a land based or remote terminal.Another object is to provide an airborne carrier vehicle adapted formovement across a liquid or solid surface and capable of detachablyvholding at least one cargo container; A "still further object is toprovide a transportable storage tank 'forholding, liquid oil, 'saidcontainer being adapted to cooperatively and removably'engage a groundeffect craft to transfer the tank between storage andrefining area.

In achieving the. statedobjectives, and toward overcoming other'problemspeculiar to the storage'and transportation of crude oil, the presentinvention provides an effective system and apparatus whereby quantitiesof oil are stored as well as transferred from an offshore location toanother offshore or land based terminal. The transport apparatusincludes a ground effect vehicle characterized by a ducted fan which ispowered by a suitable source such as an internal combustion, or turbinetype engine. The vehicle is further characterized by an elongatedupstanding housing having the fan at the upper end positioned in an airinlet duct. The lower end of the hous- .ing defines an opening, formedby a peripheral lipwhich may comprise a series of nozzles or constricteddischarge openings. An induced high velocity air stream is directed fromthe inlet duct to the discharge opening by way of a vertical well at thevehicle outer edge. Y

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. I is asideelevation view of a ground efi'ect vehicle as seen in flight, andaspresently contemplated in the hereafter described specification andclaims. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

view on an enlarged scale and in cross section of'a portion of thealternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is analternate construction of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

In the basic operation of most ground effect vehicles, the craft itselfis raised a few inches to a few feet above the ground or water.Thereafter, the craft is controllably propelled in a horizontaldirection over a relatively level although not necessarily flat surface.The lifting effect'is achieved by forming within the circle ofperipheral jets, a dynamic supporting air cushion beneath the vessel tomaintain the latter elevation regardless of the traversed topography."In principle, operation of the vehicle's ducted fan creates a relativelyhigh velocity flow of air. The latter is in turn directed to thedischarge nozzles located at the crafts lower edge. The nozzles aredirected generally inwardly and downwardly from the vehicle outer sidein achieving the dual purposes of forming the supporting air cushion andreplenishingleakcd air.

Referring to FIGS. I and 2, an exemplary embodiment of the transportapparatus includes a ground effect vehicle horizontally buoyed on an aircushion, and powered by a four bladed fan 11 at the vehicle's upperside. Means for propelling the vehicle laterally includes a power drivenpropeller 12 mounted adjacent a verticalstabilizer fan 13 forcontrollably guiding the vehicle across a'terrain when in theelevatedposition.

An elongated central cavity within the vehicle is occupied by acontainer 14, the latter having a' lower surface disposed adjacent tothe vehicles lower edge. A forced air stream generated by fan 11 isdirected through an annular, vertical air well 16 to where it isdischarged in high velocity streams at the underside of container 14 tothereby create and sustain the air cushion.

Referring to FIG. 2, ground effect vehicle 10 comprises primarily ahousing 17 disposed in a generally upright position and formed with thecentral longitudinal cavity 15. The latter includes an air inlet duct 18at the upper end, and a discharge opening 19 at the lower end. Housing17 is characterized by a generally smooth inner wall adapted to form apassage to direct the air stream with minimum resistance, and may beformed of relatively thin sheet metal. However, a strength providingstructural unit or chassis not specifically shown, is

' formed of rigid members and provides a'frame upon which housing 17,together with the other components making up the vehicle assembly aresupported. 4

The outer surface of housing 17 carries a circular ring, or circularlyspaced pads from which a plurality of support members depend.Eachsupport member is comprised of an inflata- Y shaped panel 27.connected at its edge to th'e'vertical wall, and

its center, to ring 28. The latter defines a rigid opening forming theair duct or inlet 18. A superstructure including arms 31 and 32 supportthe vehicle power plant 33 together with the v ducted fan 11, within theperiphery of ring 28.

A casing 34 fixedly carried within housing cavity 15 includes an uppercurved wall 36 connected to a generally cylindrical outer wall 37. Theexternal contour of the upper and outer walls 36 and 37 respectively issuch that when properly positioned within housing cavity 15, defines theannular air well 16 which communicates the air inlet .opening 18 withthe discharge opening 19. Casing 34 is preferably fabricated ofreinforced sheet metal construction and provides in essence a centerchamber adapted to removablyreeeive container 14. One or more couplingmembers 38 depend from housing l7 and extend downward into the casing 34center chamber.

Each coupling engages a corresponding coupling receptacle 38 incontainer 14 for fastening the ground effect vehicle 10 and container I4into a unitary body.

Vertical air well 16 communicating air inlet duct 18 with dischargeopening 19, is so formed as to receive a relatively low pressure streamof air generated by fan 11, and direct said stream outwardly and downfor discharge beneath container 14. To provide the necessary highvelocity discharge of air, well 16 is preferably contoured to define adecreasing crosssectional area as the passage progresses from the airinlet 18 to the discharge point.

The lower air discharge opening of vehicle may be comprised of any ofseveral means for forming the necessary high velocity inwardly directedair jets toward the vehicle center to confine the supportingair cushion.As presently shown, the discharge opening is of the jet system type andcomprises a plurality of peripherally spaced, and inwardly directedconstricted nozzles 41. The latter are manifolded at their upper ends toair well 16, and equispaced about housing 17 lower end to provide auniformity of air flow and lifting effect.

Nozzles or air discharge openings 41 are preferably flexible in natureto best encounter the conditions under which the ground effect vehicleoperates. Specifically, air discharge openings 41 may be incorporatedinto a continuous skirtlike arrangement from a resilient, durablematerial such as nylon or the like, and constructed to be readilyyieldable. Thus, as the vehicle maneuvers while in flight, and the skirtcontacts either the land or water surface, air flow to the supportingcushion will be substantially uninterrupted.

An enclosure carried on the upper deck of housing 17 defines a pilothouse or station 43 from which the vehicle is cmtroiied. Power plant 33supported at the air inlet duct 18 and to the rear of station 43,includes a vertically disposed engine axially aligned with the air ductto position fan 11 at the lower end of the main shaft 35. A gearedtransmission 44 connects the power plant 33 output drive shaft 35 withfan 11 to controllably regulate the speed of the latter in accordancewith the load to be carried by the vehicle. A second or jackshaft 42coupled to transmission 44, extends from the latter and is journaled inbearing 46 at ring 28. Propeller 12 is carried on jackshaft 42 anddisposed within a suitable protected enclosure. Horizontal movement ofthe vehicle is controlled by the adjustable vertical stabilizer 13hinged to post 48 and connected by cables to the pilot house.

An exemplary embodiment of container 14 carried within the centerchamber of casing 34 includes upstanding cylindrical sidewalls 48connected to an upper panel 49 at a peripheral welded joint. Thesidewalls are similarly connected a their lower edge to a base plate 51thereby to form a fluid holding chamber.

Container 14 conforms in many respects to a standard liquid containerwith the additional provision of being adapted for connection with theground effect vehicle 10, to become an integral part thereof, and forbeing readily transported. Container 14 thus includes an internalrigidizing framework including upper and lower structural members 52 and53 together with intermediate connecting columns 54. The containerfurther includes liquid transfer means such as one or more ports 56,manifolding, gauges and the like whereby the liquid flow quantity may bereadily regulated.

To be readily accommodated within the central cavity of casing 17, thecontainer 14 peripheral sidewalls include a tapered. or concave section57 at the upper end thereof connecting said sidewalls with top panel 39.The function of the tapered or curved section is to facilitate properpositioning of the container within the casing cavity, as vehicle 10 islowered onto the container, or, as the container is raised into thevehicle. Thus, as the flexible nozzles 41 at the vehicle lower endengage the container upper end, said nozzles will be outwardly deflectedby contact with the curved or tapered surface 57 a sufficient amount toavoid damage to the nozzles. Thereafter, as the container becomes fullyseated in its coupled position, nozzles 41 will return to theiroperating position adjacent to the container base plate 51.

Referring to FIG. 3, alternate embodiment of the containcrized transportapparatus is illustrated. The latter emw o the structural chaacteristics shown in H6. 2

and including a ground effect vehicle 60 including an exte mal housing61 being similar in general construction to the housing previouslydescribed. Housing 61 normally assumes an upright position and comprisesessentially a cylindrical member having an air inlet or duct 62 at theupper end and a discharge opening 63 at the lower end. The inner surfaceof housing 61 upstanding wall forms one guide. surface of an aircarrying passage 65 communicating inlet 62 with discharge opening 63.The lower end of housing 61 is further provided with external wheels orinflatable support members 64 adapted to extend and maintain the vehiclein a slightly elevated position when not operating in flight. Forconvenience support members, 64 are retractable to the withdrawnposition shown in flight operation.

The elongated central cavity defined by cylindrical housing 61 isoccupied by removably positioned container 66. The latter is held andsupported within the vehicle by two or more coupling members 67.Container 66 upper wall 68 is contoured and provided with a centralraised hub 69 having an apex disposed in axial alignment with fan 71,the latter being supported in air inlet duct 62. The upper wall 63 ofcontainer 66 is further contoured along its outer surface and verticalsidewalls to be. spaced from the adjacent innersurface of hous-' ing 61.Thus, the container 66 and housing 61 adjacent walls are spacedsufficiently apart to define a progressively decreasing cross-sectionalair well or passage 65. Said passage 65 conducts the induced air streamfrom the inlet to one or more high velocity discharge streams at thehousing 61 lower end.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, internally, container 66 comprises areinforcing framework such as upper and lower structural members 73 and74 which are cross braced by upright columns 76. A base plate 72 carriedat the container lower side functions as a foundation against which theair cush acts to support vehicle 60 and container 61 above the groundduring in-flight operation. In forming the one or more lower airdischarge openings or nozzles 75, the housing 61 includes a flexiblemember such as a skirt or series of pivotally mounted panels 77. Thelatter are hinged at 78 to be pivotally displaceable by actuating means70 that they may be outwardly displaced to permit insertion of thecontainer 61, and thereafter returned to normal place such that theskirt isdisposed immediately adjacent to the container lower end therebydefining the constricted discharge jets 75. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3,with the container rigidly received in the housing cavity, the lowerperipheral air discharge opening comprises a plurality of inwardlydirected jets which issue high velocity of air streams toward thevehicle undersurface to form the required air cushion. However, withcontainer 66 removed from the vehicle, the lower edge of housing 61defines a circular opening for discharging air from the central plenumchamber in which the supporting air cushion will be formed by theactionof the ducted fan 71.

The ability of the ground effect vehicle 60 to operate on either a jetdischarge system or the central plenum system for holding the aircushion, permits a greater degree of efficiency in operation since eachsystem is adapted for a particular condition. Further, the character ofthe ground effect vehicle is such that no adjustment is required foroperation under either category, either by the jet or the plenum chambersystem.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, to permit operation of thevehicle forusing either jets, or the central plenum chamber, removable container 66is adapted at the lower end to cooperate with the housing 61 lower end.Container 66 is thus provided with an encircling ring 81 carried on thecontainer lower end in an annular recessed seat 85. The ring 81 may beformed of separate, rigid segments having a relatively smooth arcuatesurface 82 which is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of skirt 77thereby to form the constricted air passage or passages 75. Individualarcuate segments of ring 81 are removably fastened to. the containerlower surface by a suitable fastening device such as bolts 84 or thelike.

Alternately, an embodiment of jet forming container ring 81 rather thanbeing of a rigid construction, assumes the configuration of aninflatable, toruslike member. Said member is likewise similarly fastenedinto the container peripheral seat 85 outer surface. The encirclinginflatable member is thus deflated while tank 61 is being filled or notin use, and subsequently inflated with air at such time as removal ofthe tank is required. Thus when inflated the external surface of theinflatable ring is disposed contiguous with the'adjacent housing skirtthereby to form the plurality of jet discharge openings.

To enhance the operation of the ground effect vehicle when using theperipheral jet system, a supplementary air system may be provided forcirculating at least part of the air initially directed into the aircushion. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, container 87 includes alower base plate 88 which is connected to a sidewall 89 by an annularrecessed section 91. The latter is adapted to receive an insertable ring92 formed of a plurality of discrete sections cooperatively arranged todefine the encircling member about container 87 lower end. Segments 92are individually grooved and gasketed at adjacent lateral matingsurfaces to define a plurality of recirculation channels 93, as well asmain jets 94.

Recirculation channels 93, include a relatively large mouth 96 disposedat the container underside. The channel mouth 96 is adapted to receiveat least a portion of the air stream discharged to the air cushion bythe main jet 94. Air so received in channel 93 is recirculated throughthe gradually constricted passage and subsequently discharged throughsupplementary jet 97. The latter discharge is positioned to the outerside of the discharging main air stream from jet 94 thereby reinforcingthe formation of the internal air cushion.

In the instance of recirculation arrangement, the cooperating groundeffect vehicle is adapted at the lower end to engage container87 anddirect a stream of air through vertical well 98 and into the mouth ofmain jet 94 disposed within the respective segmental sections.

Other modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore setforth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicatedin the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination in a containerized transport apparatus including: i

a ground effect vehicle having a housing with opposed upper and lowerends and being disposed in a generally upright position to form acentral cavity;

means forming an air discharge port at the lowermost of said housingends, and an air inlet duct at the opposed upper end;

a fan drivingly connected to a source of power and carried in said airinlet duct to provide a forced air stream;

passage means communicating said air inlet duct to said discharge portfor directing said forced. air stream to, the latter;

a fluid holding container removably received in said housing centralcavity and including;

upstanding sidewalls connected at the lower edge thereof to a baseplate, said base plate being positioned adjacent to said housingdischarge port and defining a substantial closure across said cavity;and

whereby said forced air stream directed from said air discharge port ata high velocity will establish and maintain a supporting air cushionbeneath said container base plate to sustain said transport apparatusabove ground level.

2. In the combination as defined in claim l wherein said ground effectvehicle includes coupling means adapted to em gage a correspondingcoupling member on said container for retaining the latter in saidcavity.

3. in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said containerincludes a structural member connected to and extending across said baseplate for bracing the same.

4. In the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said ground effectvehicle includes a skirt carried at the lower periphery of said housinghaving spaced apart air discharge openings therein, said skirt beingoutwardly displaceable from a normal operating position to permit entryof said container into said central cavity.

5. In the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means forming adischarge port includes a plurality of downwardly directed nozzlesspaced about the housing periphery.

6. A containerized transport apparatus including:

a. a ground effect vehicle having a housing with an inner wall forming alongitudinal cavity therethrough a peripheral lip at the lower end ofsaid longitudinal cavity, and an air inlet duct at the upper endthereof;

. a fan drivingly connected to a power source being positioned in saidair inlet duct whereby to form a forced air stream; and

c. a container removably held in said housing cavity including anexternal side panel connected to 'a base plate, said external side panelbeing spaced from said housing in a wall to define an annular wellcommunicating said inlet duct with the cavity lower end, said containerpanel being cooperatively spaced from said housing peripheral lip todefine therewith a constricted nozzle in the cavity lower end wherebysaid air stream is conducted from said air inlet duct by said annularwell for discharge from said peripheral nozzle in a generally inwardlydirection thereby to impinge said container base and form an airvcushion beneath the latter to elevate said transport device above groundlevel.

7. In a containerized transport apparatus as defined in claim 6 whereinsaid container lower edge includes a curved outer nozzle surface spacedfrom said peripheral lip to form an inwardly directed constrictednozzle.

8. In the apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said containerincludes a ring removably carried at the side panel lower edge therebyto define said nozzle surface.

9. In the apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said ring includes aplurality of circularly arranged segments fastened to said side panel.

10. In the apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said ring includes aninflatable member removably carried on said container side panel andbeing adapted to an inflated condition

